Kane Co. coroner indicted in TV theft

May 18, 2010

Kane County Coroner Charles West was indicted by a grand jury today on five counts of official misconduct, according to a special prosecutor.

West is alleged to have illegally taken possession of a color television from the home of a Carpentersville man who died in 2007 and whose death was investigated by West's office, according to the indictment from State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor Charles Colburn.

"West intentionally and recklessly failed to perform his mandated duties while acting in his official capacity in that he failed to dispose of valuable personal property of Preston Pomykal, a Magnavox 24-inch TV/DVD/VCR in accord with Illinois law in that he allowed the TV to be taken and possessed by another person and not disposed of as required by Illinois law," the indictment read.

In published reports, West has said he was storing the television because the man's next of kin could not be located, but there are also reports that the TV was given to two of his deputy coroners.

A summons orders West to appear in court May 27. State's Attorney John Barsanti said Tuesday that authorities decided to not issue a warrant for West because they believe he was neither a flight nor safety risk.

Official misconduct is a class 3 felony, punishable by a two- to five-year prison sentence. Probation is also a sentencing option.